Professional Development Webinars

The following free professional development webinars for educators, speech-language pathologists, and special educators will provide you with the latest research on how the brains of our struggling students learn best. These can be viewed on any smartphone, making them easy to watch or listen to whenever you like! We also offer Certificates of Attendance. Take a look below at our most popular sessions.

Stress and Poverty - How to Undo Their Toxic Effects on Learning

Presenter: Martha Burns, Ph.D. Length: 60 minutes

Picture one student's face now. Can you tell what's going on in his/her brain? What stress is doing to his/her learning? New research is showing the impact of stress and poverty on the brain - and best of all - what can be done to reverse these effects. There's more going on "behind the scenes" with your students than you may realize. Listen to this webinar to gain a better understanding of how to make a difference in their learning at the classroom, school and district levels.

Effects of Poverty on School Success

Presenter: Martha S. Burns, Ph.D.Length: 60 minutes

Several new studies have shown that students from families below the poverty line are at the greatest risk for academic failure. Research reveals that low family income has a bigger impact on academics than ethnicity or English language proficiency. Listen to Dr. Martha Burns as she reviews the newest research and provides evidence of how the Fast ForWord intervention has been found to have a significant impact on academic achievement in children of poverty.

5 Secrets to Jumpstart Learning in Students of Poverty

Presenter: Eric Jensen, Ph.D. Length: 60 minutes

The majority of students from poverty struggle in reading. If everyone knows that, how can we get FAR better results? This fast-moving webinar gives you the 5 secrets that can help jumpstart your students. You’ll get to see and hear the amazing new research. More importantly, you’ll leave with ideas you can implement immediately. Yes, you can reverse the impact of poverty. You’ll be able to personally initiate the changes that make miracles happen for students from poverty. And yes, this webinar can be life-changing for your students.

Autism: New Research and Interventions

Presenter: Martha Burns, Ph.D.Length: 60 minutes

New research on the underlying neurology of autism is exploding as is information on the most effective interventions available to drive positive neurological changes in children on the autism spectrum. Join Dr. Martha Burns as she discusses the new research and shares data on neuroscience-based interventions that have been shown to enhance language, attention, and social skills in children on the autism spectrum.

2016 Dyslexia Research and Remediation

Presenter: Martha Burns, Ph.D.Length: 60 minutes

October is Dyslexia Awareness Month! Join us to learn about the latest research on the processing weaknesses and early indicators in dyslexia. Most importantly, find out how to use this information to help your students. See a demonstration of the evidence-based Fast ForWord software.

Build the ELL Brain

Presenter: Martha S. Burns, Ph.D.Length: 45 minutes

Despite educators’ best efforts to teach students English as quickly as possible, many never develop academic English fluency. In this webinar, Dr. Martha Burns reviews the newest research on the ELL brain, the advantages of true bilingualism, and how effective technological adjuncts can build the English brain, quickly, moving ELL students to proficiency.

Leading with the Brain in Mind: Focus on Cognitive Capacity

Presenter: Eric Jensen, Ph.D.Length: 60 minutes

Join us for an amazing and idea-packed session by cognitive capacity builder, Dr. Eric Jensen. Discover the one cognitive tool, that when tested at age 5, has a greater impact on student achievement than even IQ. Your staff and your students can do much better. But you have to know where to invest your time and energy. Learn how to upgrade the human brain and you’ll start seeing some daily miracles. Stay for the whole session and you’ll get a list of the Top 10 all-time best cognitive capacity builders.

Effective Literacy Instruction for ELLs and All Students - Words, Fluency, and Meaning

Presenter: Timothy Rasinski, Ph.D.Length: 60 minutes

Reading comprehension and fluency are considered some of the hallmarks of student success. How can you ensure that all of your students are succeeding? Join Dr. Timothy Rasinski as he discusses reading fluency, comprehension and how these skills can be effectively fostered in the classroom. He will also provide you strategies for improving students' word knowledge (phonics and vocabulary) and comprehension.

How to Rewire the Brains of Struggling Readers

Presenter: Martha S. Burns, Ph.D.Length: 60 minutes

While home environment, access to books, and social and economic factors all play a part in literacy development, brain differences also play a crucial role. Join this webinar to learn what's different about the brains of those students who struggle to read and what you can do about it in your classroom, school or district.